Lamborghini Performante smashes Nurburgring lap record

IT'S the ultimate test of man and machine: the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

If you score the lap record around the famed "Green Hell" kudos levels climb at warp speed. Latest champ is Lamborghini's Huracan Performante, smashing the record last October but only revealed now ahead of the supercar's unveiling at this week's Geneva Motor Show.

Lamborghini Huracan Performante breakes the production car lap record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

The time? 6:52.01 around the fearsome 20.6km German track, giving Lamborghini confidence to claim the production car lap record, as the only car to go faster is the Radical SR8LM - a car you'd struggle to justify as a proper road car.

To show just how quick the lightweight four-wheel drive and aero-optimised Huracan Performante is, its Nurburgring lap time eclipsed the Porsche 918 Spyder by five seconds, was eight seconds quicker than Lambo's own Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce, and more than half a minute faster around the track than a Ferrari Enzo. Wow.

Lamborghini Huracan Performante breakes the production car lap record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Pictured is Lamborghini test driver, Marco Mapelli.

Sadly, we didn't get to see the Performante in its full glory during its record run as it was still dressed in its development camouflage. Witnessing one painted in the typically extrovert Lamborghini orange or blue would have made the photos even more spectacular.

Lamborghini has, however, revealed on-board footage of its test driver - and now record holder - Marco Mapelli completing the mesmerising lap, so you could do worse than setting aside seven minutes of your life and searching for it online.

Incredibly, the lap almost looks effortless for the driving ace, but when you consider the speed, it's testament to the man's inhuman driving ability over a single lap.

Lamborghini Huracan Performante breakes the production car lap record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

One lap, one chance, and he nailed it.

"This was an incredible and emotional moment," said Lamborghini chairman Stefano Domenicali.

"Together with Maurizio Reggiani, we agreed during the car's development that with the technical and performance prowess of the Huracan Performante, not only was a sub-seven-minute lap at the Nordschleife possible, but the lap record too.

Lamborghini Huracan Performante breakes the production car lap record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Pictured is Lamborghini test driver, Marco Mapelli.

"I am so proud of everything achieved by Lamborghini people that day and extremely privileged to have witnessed it."

The lap record was achieved using specially developed Pirelli Trofeo R tyres; the same rubber that will be used when lucky customers take delivery of their new Performantes.